Real World 101 For Newtown High School Seniors

By Larissa Lytwyn

 Stoked by personal passions, Newtown High School seniors Erin Hayes, Erin O’ Dell and Krystyn Provost recently peeked into their professional future through their involvement in the Career Center’s Senior Project program.

“The only requirement is that the student is a senior and has Career Center approval for their idea,” said Career Center Director Peg Ragaini.

Seniors can choose to attend career-oriented seminars, intern at local businesses or enterprises, spearhead projects stemmed from their own interests or do combinations of all three.

Each student must have both a professional and school-based mentor. About 25 seniors participate in the program each semester. 

“It’s not something you could experience in the regular classroom,” noted Erin Hayes, who is in the process of publishing Feis 101, a manual “by and for Irish step-dancers” just journeying into the season of feis, or competitions.

Ms Hayes’ project recently propelled her to becoming one of two Newtown High School finalists for a $12,000 Weller Foundation, Incorporated scholarship.

“I’ve been dancing for 15 years,” Ms Hayes said. “I thought it would be interesting to do something that could be available for dancers their parents, everything from what to expect during your first feis to what to wear and how to prepare.”

The book’s cover is being designed by one of Ms Hayes’ teachers. Ms Hayes has also contributed her own hand-drawn diagrams of various steps.

“I plan to self-publish Feis 101 and sell it at my dancing school,” she said. “I’ve also been talking with various feis vendors who are willing to carry my book.”

 Much of the writing portion was aided by the guidance of Newtown High School English Chair Jeanetta Miller. “I’ve learned a lot about publishing and the copyright system,” Ms Hayes said, describing the publishing worlds’ detail-oriented nature.

“I’ve been asked what kind of black I want,” Ms Hayes laughed, “and there is about a million different kinds of white paper!”

Feis 101 should be finalized and released by early February, Ms Hayes said. She considers the manual her first how-to book on Irish step dancing and hopes to continue writing and teaching about the subject far into the future.

Erin O’ Dell recently launched a flute choir at Newtown Middle School. “I’ve always loved playing the flute,” she said. “I’ve been playing it since I was in fourth grade.”

A decade later, Ms O’ Dell said she wants to possibly pursue a career in music education, introducing the instrument to young students.

“I really liked working with the girls,” she said. After Newtown Middle School administrators initially approved the project, Ms O’ Dell selected music congruent with the six flutists’ ability levels. “I also had to make sure the music had enough parts in it for everyone to play,” Ms O’Dell said. “Then I had to learn the music myself, of course, before I could teach it.”

She met with the students once a week for about an hour a half after school.

Krystyn Provost sought to combine her interest in psychology with her love of music for her Senior Project.

She assisted Middle Gate’s Preschool Remediation for Optimal Beginning Education (PROBE) special education teacher Eileen Cullen in a self-directed music therapy program one afternoon a week.

PROBE integrates special needs students with their non-special needs peers, Ms Cullen explained. Ages range from three to six.

“Krysten worked with a mentor [Leesa Sklover-Filgate, PhD] for the musical component,” Ms Cullen explained.

Dr Sklover-Filgate is a Newtown-based practitioner who founded Optiself: Optimal Discovery, a holistic health program drawn from music, art and massage therapy.

   “I am fascinated by psychology,” Ms Provost said, adding that music, she believes, can be crucial healing tool. The PROBE program made her more “relaxed” around young children, she said.

“I’m a perfectionist, and you can’t be [a perfectionist] in that environment!” she laughed.

  Ms Provost plans to attend either Miami University in Florida or Berklee College in Boston pursuing a degree in music therapy.

The students will present an overview of their projects at Senior Project Night on January 13 beginning at 7pm at Newtown High School. The Newtown Middle School flute choir directed by Ms O’Dell is also scheduled to perform. For more information on the Senior Project program, contact the Newtown High School Career Center at 426-1915.